maintenance LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1997 User Guide

245
q
English: MPG = (total miles)/(gallons used).
q
Metric: L/100K = (liters used) x 100/(total
kilometers)
Comparisons With Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and Transport
Canada (TC) Fuel Economy EstimatesEPA fuel economy figures are obtained from
laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and
may not reflect the actual conditions you experience
or your style of driving. The EPA fuel economy
estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve
the fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy:q
Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
q
Rapid acceleration and excessive speed
q
Driving with your foot on the brake
q
Sudden stops
q
Extended engine idling
q
Using speed control in hilly terrain
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
q
Underinflated tires
q
Heavy loads
q
Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage
racks, bug deflectors, etc.
Self-Service PointersIf you choose to do your own fueling, you should
also perform a few simple maintenance routines.
This extra effort will save you additional money and
contribute to the driving efficiency of your vehicle.
The following procedures require only a tire gauge,
a rag, an oil can spout and windshield washer fluid.q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
File:11fnmct.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:54:56 1996

248Information about your vehicle's emission control
system is on the Vehicle Emission Control
Information decal located on or near the engine.
This decal identifies engine displacement and gives
some tune-up specifications.How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) TestingIn some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II
system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its
battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that
additional city and highway driving is necessary to
complete the check of the OBD II system.
The driving modes required to reach the ready
condition consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of
city and highway driving as described below:
q
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go,
city type traffic with at least four idle periods.
q
At least ten minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not be
turned off during these driving modes.
Lights and Bulb ReplacementIt is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:q
headlamps
q
high-mount brakelamp
q
tail lamps
q
brakelamps
q
hazard flasher
File:11fnmct.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:54:56 1996

260NOTE:Rear axle lube quantities must be replaced
every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or if the axle
has been submerged in water. Otherwise, the lube
should not be checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or repair required.Vehicle StorageMaintenance TipsIf you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended
period of time (60 days or more), refer to the
following maintenance recommendations to ensure
your vehicle stays in good operating condition.Generalq
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust and
damage.
Bodyq
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease,
oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces, rear
wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent discoloration.
Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges
and latches with a light grade oil.
q
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
q
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
File:12fncst.ex
Update:Thu Jun 20 15:16:56 1996

265
Customer AssistanceIf You Have a Service ProblemFord Motor Company has authorized Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealerships that can service your
vehicle for you. This chapter tells you how to get
service or maintenance for your vehicle.Service/Maintenance Concerns
(U.S. or Canada)Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your
selling dealer who wants to ensure your continued
satisfaction. You may, however, take your vehicle to
any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. In
most cases, your dealer will be able to resolve your
concern.
If you are not satisfied with the service you
received from your dealership's service department,
talk to the service manager at the dealership, or ifyou still are not satisfied, talk to the owner or
general manager of the dealership. In most cases,
you will have your concern resolved at this level.
If you are away from home when your vehicle
needs to be serviced, or if you need more help than
the dealer gave you, contact the Ford Customer
Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership
that may be able to help you.
File:14fnhst.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:55:31 1996

268How does the Board Work?The Board consists of:q
three consumer representatives
q
a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer
Consumer candidates for Board membership are
recruited and trained by an independent consulting
firm. Dealers are chosen because of their business
leadership qualities.
What the Board needsTo have your case reviewed you must complete the
application in the DSB brochure and mail it to the
address provided on the application form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined
to be eligible, you will receive an acknowledgment
indicating:q
the file number assigned to your application
q
the toll-free phone number of the DSB's
independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company
representative are asked to submit statements at this
time.
To review your case properly, the Board needs the
following information:
q
legible copies of all documents and maintenance
or repair orders relevant to the case
q
the year, make, model, and Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) listed on your
vehicle ownership license
q
the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of
occurrence(s)
q
the current mileage
q
the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the
vehicle
File:14fnhst.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:55:31 1996

296Anti-theft system
arming the system.......... 116
description............. 116
disarming an untriggered system.... 118
disarming a triggered system...... 118
triggering............. 118
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 266
Ashtray(s)............... 73
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 265
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............ 33
Autolamp system (see Headlamps).... 70
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive..... 173
fluid, adding............. 231
fluid, checking............ 230
fluid, refill capacities......... 258
fluid, specification.......... 259Axle
lubricant specifications........ 259
refill capacities............ 258
B
Basic vehicle warranty........... 3
Battery................ 232
battery saver............. 115
charging system warning light..... 15
disconnecting............ 232
how to service............ 232
jumping a disabled battery....... 204
maintenance-free........... 232
proper disposal, recycling....... 232
replacement, specifications....... 257
servicing.............. 232
when storing your vehicle....... 261
File:fnixt.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996

306
M
Maintenance schedule and record
(see separate Maintenance Schedule
and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 211
Master cylinder, brakes......... 221
Memory seat (programmable
memory seat)............ 99
Message center
door ajar.............. 31
low washer fluid........... 31
trunk ajar.............. 32
Mileage, calculating fuel economy..... 244
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview mirror . . . 89
heated............... 101
rearview.............. 89
side view mirrors.......... 100
Moon roof............... 87
Motorcraft parts............ 257
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 263
New vehicle break-in........... 5
O
Octane rating............. 241
Odometer
description............. 21
Oil filter.............220, 257
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 218
Oil viscosity.............. 218
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 248
Overseas offices............ 272
P
Panic alarm feature, remote entry system . 112
Parking brake
operation.............. 168
warning light............ 12
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 257
File:fnixt.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996

308Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints)
adult................ 124
child................ 140
head................ 119
infant............... 140
Reverse................ 175
Roadside emergencies.......... 181
Rotating the tires............ 234
S
Safety belts (see Safety restraints)..... 124
Safety Compliance Certification Label . . . 177
Safety defects, reporting......... 263
Safety information relating to
automotive fuels........... 242
Safety restraints
adjusting the
safety belts . . 126, 128, 130, 131, 134
automatic locking mode........ 130
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 130
center front lap belt......... 134center rear lap belt.......... 134
cleaning the safety belts........ 254
extension assembly.......... 134
for adults.............. 124
for children............. 140
for infants.............. 140
for pregnant women......... 124
head................ 119
lap and shoulder belts........ 126
lap belt............... 134
maintenance............. 135
proper use............. 124
replacement............. 135
warning light and chime....... 13
Safety seats for children
and air bags..........131, 141
attaching with tether straps...... 158
automatic locking mode
(retractor)........130, 141, 143
in front seat..........141, 143
File:fnixt.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996

310Steering, power............ 173
Steering wheel
horn................ 79
locking............... 73
tilting............... 80
Storing your vehicle........... 260
Sunroof (moon roof).......... 87
Sun visor............... 90
Supplemental air bag readiness light.... 14
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) . . . 135
T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement........... 248
cleaning.............. 254
Temperature control (see Climate control) . 55
Tether anchor installation
(see Child restraints)......... 158
Tilt steering wheel........... 80Tires................. 234
changing.............. 192
checking the pressure......... 234
cleaning............... 255
inspection and maintenance...... 234
replacing.............. 235
rotating............... 234
spare tire.............. 193
storing your vehicle......... 262
tire grades............. 235
treadwear.............. 237
wear bands............. 235
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing) . . . 179
Towing your vehicle
using wheel dollies.......... 209
with a tow truck........... 209
Traction assist............. 170
File:fnixt.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996

312
W
Warm engine, starting.......... 163
Warning chimes
headlamps on............ 32
key in ignition............ 75
safety belt.............. 13
Warranties................ 3
basic................. 3
Canada................ 3
radio................ 53
Warranty Information Booklet....... 3
Washer fluid.............. 77
reservoir.............. 222
warning light............ 31
windshield............. 222Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...... 177
Wheel dollies (see Towing)....... 209
Wheels
anti-theft lugnuts........... 203
cleaning............... 255
covers............194, 200
inspection and maintenance...... 234
lug nuts............... 194
Windows
one-touch down........... 98
power windows, operating....... 98
Windshield, washing.......... 77
File:fnixt.ex
Update:Mon Jun 17 13:58:01 1996